Haas F1 passes crash test

The new Haas F1 team has confirmed its 2016 car has passed its mandatory FIA crash tests ahead of the start of pre-season testing

The new Haas F1 team has confirmed its 2016 car has passed its mandatory FIA crash tests ahead of the start of pre-season testing.

The US team, which has its European-base in Banbury, former HQ for Marussia, made the announcement via its official Twitter account, tweeting the news along with a picture of David Hasselhoff, the American actor perhaps best known for his roles in Knight Rider and Baywatch, clapping.

The car, which is designed by Dallara and which will be powered by Ferrari, is now expected to be launched on Sunday, February 21 - the day before pre-season testing begins 'proper' at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Former Lotus driver Romain Grosjean and ex-Sauber driver and Ferrari reserve Esteban Gutierrez will compete for the debutants in 2016, with team principal Guenther Steiner saying last month that the target in the opening race in Australia (March 19-20) is to have a trouble-free weekend, to progress to Q2 and to score points in the race itself.